The candidates vying for the Jeffco commission’s District 1 seat both have their eyes on addressing the challenges posed by future growth, but the challenger said leading her agenda would be fixing a perceived lack of transparency between the county and its residents.

Wages in the county are up slightly in 2016 compared to 2015, but rental rates and home prices continue to outpace the rise in salaries, making it difficult for many employees to live in the county where they work, according to a recent economic report.

Eight weeks ago, it was considered a “someday” project. But on Friday it became a reality when nonprofit group Friends of Staunton State Park presented an all-terrain wheelchair to park officials that can be used by disabled visitors.

Purchase of the chair was the result of fund-raising efforts that saw more than $40,000 donated in a very short period.

Gifted in honor of former Elk Falls Ranch resident Mark Madsen, the chair was officially presented by Sparky, Madsen's service dog.

Five months after his work went on display at the Washington, D.C., home of Vice President Joe Biden, Morgan Wolfers has been short-listed for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year award by the London Natural History Museum.

If he wins, his work will be published in a book and featured in an international exhibition that will go on tour for a year.

The Colorado Department of Education has rated the Platte Canyon School District as one of the highest performing in the state.

Announced by Superintendent Brenda Krage on Oct. 4 and briefly discussed at the district’s school board meeting Oct. 10, the preliminary “district and school performance frameworks” ratings mean that all four schools in the district are meeting or exceeding state expectations when it comes to “academic achievement, academic longitudinal growth, academic gaps and post-secondary and workforce readiness.”

Teachers at Clear Creek High School/Middle School participated in a yoga class on Friday — clearing their minds and creating a sense of calm — before spending the day catching up on their work while students enjoyed a day off.

Principal Elizabeth Gardner said the class’ purpose was twofold: to help teachers find some internal balance — as they typically spend their days interacting with students and parents — and to provide a fun activity for the staff to do together.

The Alpine Rescue Team’s Safety Day on Saturday was a win-win for both attendees and rescuers.

Attendees learned about backcountry safety and were able to attend seminars on cell phones and personal locator beacons, mountain weather and avalanche safety. They checked out the vehicles used in search-and-rescue operations and met with rescuers. There were also games to entertain the kids, a visit by a Flight for Life helicopter, and search-and-rescue dogs to meet.